When the car is filled with gas, there is a very strong lingering gasoline smell that lasts for several days.

- Stuart, FL, USA

Have been smelling gas inside car and in garage on fill up of gas tank. On 2/21/13, dealer found gas pooled about an inch thick on top of the 2 sending units under 2nd row seats of this station wagon. Gas was leaking out thru the seals and locking rings on top of sending units. Dealer found defective locking rings, seals, and gas sending units. All 3 parts replaced on both sides right under the 2nd row seats where my children were riding. This defect could cause injury or death to anyone in or close to the car if gas tank exploded from gas leaking from these defective parts.extremely dangerous.

- Powell, OH, USA

The car started to get strong gas smell specially after a full tank fill up. I have owned this car for several years and this problem started in late 2011.

- Southlake, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes E350. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a strong gasoline fuel odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

The contact owns a Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated while driving various speeds, a strong odor of fuel emitted inside of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lemoore, CA, USA

I'm writing to lodge a complaint concerning a dangerous fuel leak into the cabin of my parents' 2006 Mercedes Benz E 350 (VIN [xxx]), which has resulted in gas soaking the rear insulation pad, sound pad, & rear seat cushion, all of which are "soaked" in gas (per the repair recommendation from mb of san diego). I should add that the car only has about 55K miles. My mom is 76 and my dad is 82. They don't drive much-- just local errands. The only reason my mom caught this one was the strong gas smell in the cabin. I am writing to you directly for the following reasons: 1.this relates to your on-going investigation #PE12-001. 2.the fuel leak presents a dangerous risk of fire and risk of gas fume inhalation to the driver and passengers. 3.the fuel from the leak does in fact soak into rear insulation pad, sound pad, & rear seat cushion, despite the incorrect denial of that fact by mb-usa to the NHTSA. (see letter from mb-usa to you.) 4.the service advisor at mb of san diego told me last week that he has personally seen a lot of these fuel leaks into the cabin with mbs. I have asked the dealer performing the repair to save the defective the part(s) and the soaked insulation pad, sound pad, & rear seat cushion. It is available for your inspection.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)... updated 02-07-13 updated 2/12/2013 02/15/2013

- San Diego, CA, USA

After filling car there is a strong odor of gasoline around the car. The smell continues until the tank is down to @3/4. after reaching this point the smell dissipates somewhat but is still detectable. The garage reeks of fuel but there is nothing on the floor(yet). This problem started at @38,000 miles and continues. We now have @44,000 miles on the car. We tried contacting Mercedes usa but they merely told us to contact a local dealership. The dealership we contacted and relayed our problem to (chantilly Virginia)claimed there was no known fuel system/tank problem with that model(2006 E350). They would, of course, love to check it out. Research shows that the common fix for this problem(if it works)is around $2,000.

- Amissville, VA, USA

The car had a seriously strong order inside the cabin of gasoline every time I would fill up the car. To the point of causing nausea every time I drive the car. I had to stop driving the car for a while because the order was too strong inside the cabin. I eventually took a look under the rear seat notice that beneath the driver side rear seat was a fuel sending unit with a bad seal and gasoline fumes would pour rapidly into the cabin of the car and cause a serious order.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated that the smell of gasoline was very prominent in the vehicle cabin after refueling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the fuel pump and tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 103,000. The VIN was not available.

- Sherman , TX, USA

I noticed the smell of gasoline in the cabin of the car. I decided to look around and search for where the gasoline smell was coming from. I discovered that the car has a leak in the fuel system on top of the sending unit. There was a pool of gasoline ontop of the sending unit right next to electrical wires. I also noticed that there was gasoline dripping from beneath the car. After researching this issue online I discovered that Mercedes Benz did a recall which was 2008-020001. This recall was for sending units that leaked on all 03-06 211 & 219 amg models. I do not understand why Mercedes Benz would not recall the non amg vehicles, as they too develop the same dangerous problem. The dealership wants $3100 to fix this issue. I think that they should fix the....updated 09-18-13. The consumer stated the sending unit was replaced. The dealership advised it did not need too be replaced but was replaced anyway unbeknownst to the consumer.

- Henderson, NV, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, a strong gasoline fuel odor was emitted. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Strong smell of gas inside the car sitting for any length of time while on or off, regardless of fuel level.

- Seattle, WA, USA

On 11/20/12, I filled up my car and got a car wash. The car wash attendant asked if I had spilled a can of gas or was transporting a can of gas in my car. He said that there was a strong odor of gas coming from my car. My car was wet, so I could not differentiate water from gas on the outside. I started driving home when I realized the smell of gasoline was coming from inside my car. My child was in the car with me. We were about a mile from home. I kept the windows open. I parked my car and put cardboard beneath it trying to find the location of the fuel leak/odor. I went inside to find a diagram of the gas tank location when I realized this was not an isolated problem with my Mercedes. Several people had similar experiences with their Mercedes. There were several internet forums related to leaking fuel tanks in their Mercedes. I later learned that gas was leaking inside of my car under my child's car seat with a cigarette lighter in the back of the car. It was a frightening moment for me as a mother. I should have had my car towed, but I did not realized how unsafe the situation was until I arrived home. I tried contacting my local and corporate Mercedes dealerships to see if there was a safety recall. There was not. They asked me to drive my car to their dealership. I lost all confidence and trust in Mercedes after my phone conversations. I bought a Mercedes because of their reputation for caring about safety. The mechanic who diagnosed and fixed the car wrote "removed and replaced fuel tank. Assembly - leak around vent assembly not serviceable". he also commented that he was surprised that the local Mercedes dealership had so many gas tanks in stock when he called. He said the replacement part was different or redesigned. Updated 12/27/12 updated 12/31/2012

- Murphy, TX, USA

Fuel sending unit leaking.

- Orange, CA, USA

Fuel tank leaking fuel at vent hose in top of tank. The complete gas tank had to be replaced. This was discovered after safety complaint ODI number 10476789 was filed outlining another severe gas tank leak. I followed the servicing dealer's instruction for eliminating gas smell from the vehicle by leaving windows open while vehicle was garaged and driving with the windows down following my own instincts for survival. However, the gas smell did not dissipate. I continued to smell gas when I would approach the vehicle; and the gas odor would get stronger the longer the vehicle sat. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and the 2nd leak was discovered, prompting them to replace the entire gas tank. The severe fumes have created allergy and sinus irritation issues for me; and a phobia of driving the vehicle, especially when cigarettes are thrown from vehicles in front of me. I am so afraid that my vehicle will explode with me inside of it...just imagine!

- Orlando, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle, she smelled an overpowering gasoline odor being emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel tank seam had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue and informed the contact that the dealer would be handling the repair costs however, the dealer stated that the manufacturer would handle the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 74,000.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

Car smells of gas. I read many complaints on the 2006 E class, with the same issue.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

For several months there has been a strong odor of gasoline after fueling the vehicle. The odor has become steadily worse and we took the vehicle to the dealership for assistance. We were told that the fuel tank was cracked and had to be replaced. When I inquired how this could have occurred, I was told it could be due to impact or trauma (which is impossible as the vehicle was not involved in any incident). Was informed that it would cost $2,300 to repair vehicle. Called mb-usa and asked for assistance. Was informed that there was not a recall on the fuel tank and I would have to pay the cost. As the vehicle was unsafe, I had the work performed and received a 10% "goodwill" discount. Picked up vehicle and drove a short distance and continued to smell fuel. Called dealership and they came to pick-up. Acknowledged that they did not tighten a clamp or something. We picked it up again and the odor was persistent. Immediately called the dealership back and we subsequently traded the vehicle in. Bottom line.... I do not think that a fuel tank should fail on a vehicle with less than 90,000 miles. I have the old tank and believe that mb should reimbursement for the cost of the tank.

- Aynnor, SC, USA

Strong smell of gasoline mostly outside the car whenever I fill the gas tank. I never overfill. The smell exists even when I don't fill to the very top. The garage has a strong smell of gasoline whenever I fill the car with gas and park the car in the garage. I am afraid the gasoline fumes may ignite and blow-up my house.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Heavy gas smell inside and outside vehicle. Fuel leaking from defective elbow hose connection allowing gas to leak inside the vehicle under the back seat insulation and fuel cover; fuel traveled outside of the vehicle by way of dripping from underneath the back of the vehicle along the exhaust pipe causing strong gas fumes when parked and while driving.

- Orlando, FL, USA